William C. Bates, Jr.

William Clinton “Will” Bates, Jr. of Westminster, passed away after extended illness on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Carroll Hospital Center. Born March 7, 1963, he was the son of the late William Clinton and Dale (Burkart) Bates, Sr. He was the loving husband of Tonya Bates.

Will graduated from Westminster High School in 1981. He worked as a plumber for the first 20 years of his life then worked at Penguin Random House. Over the years he developed many friendships. Will was the comedian of our family; he always had a huge grin on his face. He made people laugh by telling corny jokes and with his quick-witted humor. He loved his family, especially his wife of over 22 years. He was blessed by the miracle of his son Trey’s birth and was a great father to both Trey and Ally. He enjoyed many sports but most especially golfing, fishing, bowling, and softball. Will was a kind gentle soul, who loved animals and his family and friend’s animals. His family will remember him as a big ‘ole teddy bear.  

Besides his beloved wife Tonya, he is survived by his son, William C. “Trey” Bates III of Keymar; daughter, Allyson Murkey and wife Kelly of Baltimore; grandson Everett Murkey; sister, Michelle Bates; mother and father-in-law Dale and Wanda Valentine of Keymar who loved and treated Will like their own son.  He was a caring uncle and brother-in-law to Terri Beard of Littlestown and her three sons, Adam Stevens and fiancé Kat Devitta of Ft. Lauderdale, FL., and Daulton and Cayden Beard of Littlestown, PA. He will be missed by close family friends, Maggie Desmond (who Will treated like a daughter) and Amy and Gary Cupp, long-time friends.

A celebration of life will be held at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home 136 E Baltimore St., Taneytown, MD, 21787 at 12 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.